All green buildings will get special logo in 2015

NEW DELHI: All green (environment friendly) buildings - identified on the basis of use of water\energy conservation methods, recycled materials, solar power, natural lighting and energy self-sufficiency - across the country will get special logo in the New Year.

The environment ministry is working on a methodology by factoring in the existing norms to issue such logo which will be developed by inviting designs from general public and experts.

"The ministry is contemplating on crowd-sourcing the design after internal discussion and deliberations with all stakeholders," said an official.

Though several green buildings have come up in different parts of the country in the past few years, they do not carry specific sign which may put them in different league.

"This will not only help people to identify green buildings, but also give a sense of pride for the owners. This will also motivate others to go for green building concept, driving many co-benefits associated with it," said the official.

At present, buildings get star rating by a government agency - Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) - for energy efficiency and other green ratings by two private bodies. The logo to be issued by the environment ministry for such buildings will factor in all such existing norms.

This is part of several other initiatives which are to be taken up by the environment ministry in 2015. Promotion of renewable energy - solar and wind - in a big way is an important component of the government's plan.

On law front, the government has decided to bring amendments in all five key environment laws in the budget session of the Parliament. Idea of bringing amendments is to make all the green laws in sync with the Narendra Modi government's development goals.

The laws which are to be amended include the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

"The changes will be made in these laws on the basis of various recommendations of the TSR Subramanian panel which had submitted its report to the ministry in November, 2014," said an official.

The panel has suggested many changes in existing laws to ensure speedy green clearances and make the whole process more transparent. It also proposed setting up a national laboratory for air\water quality within the environment ministry and instituting an All India Environment Service.

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